Sleep is a new power state that combines the quick-resume benefits of Standby with the data protection benefits of Hibernation.
In previous versions of Windows OS, if you turned your computer off to save power or extend your mobile PC's battery life, it took an unusual long time for it to start back up. With Windows Vista, the PC will turn back on quickly, and you can use it anytime you want. The new off state is now the new Sleep power state. Press the power button, your PC will automatically save your current session, and enter low power state. It will then save your session to the hard drive, which helps if your PC loses power. The session is still saved. If you press the power button, your PC will resume where you last left off.
Unlike Windows XP, two modes: Standby and Hibernate, Windows Vista combines the benefits of both modes into Sleep to simplify usage for users.
SuperFetch:
SuperFetch helps programs and files to load much faster than Windows XP.
When the PC is not actively being used, background tasks - ncluding automatic backup programs and antivirus scans—run - will run, so these task will not disturb you. In Windows XP these background activities have slowed down progress of your PC while you were actively using it.
SuperFetch monitors the most frequently used applications, and applications you designate. The monitored programs will be loaded into system memory to ensure fast access.
ReadyBoost:
Windows ReadyBoost is a new concept of add on memory. You can plug in your USB drive into your USB port to be used as additional memory. The USB drive will augment your memory cache, which is faster than your hard drive.
Hybrid Hard Drive support with Windows ReadyDrive:
Windows ReadyDrive is a new feature that enables PCs equipped with a hybrid hard disk, which a hard drive that allows you to augment with flash memory, so you can enjoy better performance, greater reliability, and longer battery life.
New power management features give you excellent control:
Windows Vista's power management features are both greatly expanded and nicely configurable. The Power Options Control Panel offers a boatload of new settings for controlling everything from PCI Express power management settings to what the Start menu's default On/Off button does. You get thoughtful settings for wireless adapter, Sleep, power buttons and notebook lid, processor, display, and multimedia settings. And the dialog that controls these appears to be fully extensible, so OEM PC and device makers may be able to add their own settings for forthcoming hardware.
As great as the new settings are, devices need drivers that are designed for Vista to allow them to take full advantage of the operating system's more advanced power management environment.
tags: Windows Vista, ReadyBoost,SuperFetch, software
